SAM TUNKEL
SAM TUNKEL
Explore New Music, Shows, & More
Concerts
Upcoming Shows.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE/event (* w/ The Long Whiles) | LOCATION | Tickets (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/26/2026 | 3:30PM | Bar Freda * | 801 Seneca Ave, Ridgewood, NY | Bar Freda Tickets! |
| 5/1/2026 | TBD | The barnyard * | Glassboro, NJ (DM Venue or @Sam_tunkel on insta for further details) | (at the door) |
| 5/2/2026 | 4:30pm | Anti – Ice Charity show @ Revilla Grooves & Gear * | Milltown, NJ | (at the door) |
| 5/8/2026 | 7:00Pm | The Rock Shack * | 14 Davenport St Suite 1, Somerville, NJ 08876 | Rock Shack Tickets! |
| 5/9/2026 | TBD | Symposia Bookstore * | 510 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ, 07030 | (At the door) |
ABOUT
“I don’t wanna take this ride alone…”
Sam Tunkel utters the final lyric of “The Ride” as his invitation to you. Ever since sitting down at the piano, picking up the guitar, and writing songs for the first time at age twelve, Sam knew that he wanted to use the power of music and songwriting to do for others what music did for him: make people feel visible.
Growing up in the lonely and still beautiful town of Branchburg, New Jersey, Sam was exposed early to open mic culture in the nearby town of Somerville, where he attended weekly open mics from a very young age for years. It was there that Sam first began to hone his craft as a songwriter and musician, and learned what a strong musical community looks like. Sam has continued since then with music, through choirs and theater in high school, and now studying music at Rutgers University, all while writing, performing, producing, and releasing original music. Sam often uses his songs to ease the weight of life and the world, and he hopes to do the same for you. The ride is only just beginning, and there’s always room to hop in the car, so come on in…
Sam has previously been featured on news outlets such as New Jersey Stage, as well as radio stations such as 90.3 The Core and BlowUpRadio.com. Sam has played at various notable venues/events such as the Light Of Day Foundation in Asbury Park, NJ, Crossroads in Garwood, NJ, The Rock Shack in Somerville, NJ, and a multitude of DIY venues in New Brunswick and around New Jersey.
About the Band: The Long Whiles
The Long Whiles didn’t grow up together; they hadn’t been jamming in each other’s basements for years before realizing this could be a seriously magical band, and they didn’t know each other upon picking up instruments for the first time. So what makes The Long Whiles special? Exactly that.
Sam Tunkel was in the Fall semester of his junior year of college when he was asked to play a Halloween cover show of one of his favorite bands. Having played only solo up to that point, Sam decided the show was a good excuse to put together a real band. After asking around, he formed a unit of Rutgers University and William Paterson University students all studying music. Upon getting together for the very first time to rehearse for the show, they realized a true sense of connection was present, and felt they had much more than covers up their sleeve. They began playing Tunkel’s original music, and thus took up the name, The Long Whiles, based off of a lyric Tunkel had written in his notebook.
The Long Whiles pride themselves on their differing musical backgrounds, and a unit packed with individuals who have devoted their lives to music, academically, personally, and spiritually, makes them one of the hardest working bands in rock n’ roll today.
LATEST DISCOGRAPHY
The Sting Of The Blade
Released on March 28th, 2026
- Album
- The End Of The Day
- Do You? Will You?
- Tomorrow The Parade Man Is Gonna Get Shot
- The Sting Of The Blade
- Solberg Airport
- Pure Courage
- Once I Wake Up
- Ask Me Why
- Inner City Lullaby
Sam’s newest and sophomore album, The Sting Of The Blade, is a reflection on feeling lost, and not knowing how to get un-lost. With a constant presence of confusion, unanswered questions, and the need for navigation, the record maintains the ominous mood of feeling old when you shouldn’t feel that way, as the narrators and characters within aren’t experiencing the fierce pain yet, they’re only just beginning to feel the sting.
The Parade Man
Released in 2026
- EP
- Tomorrow The Parade Man Is Gonna Get Shot
- Full Moon Lover
- Baby Bird Blues
- My Guardian Angel
Do You? Will You? – Single
Released in 2026
Inner City Lullaby – Single
Released in 2025
Out There
Released on August 8th, 2025
- Album
- Out There
- Wheels
- Beijo
- Daily Dose of Pain
- It’s that Time Again
- The Ride
- No One Else But Me
- The Dirty Jobs
- Live at The Dragonfly, 07/19/2018 [Bonus]
The songs and themes on Out There are rooted in child-like dreams of escape, isolation, and a yearning to break free and be one’s true self, and chase that indescribable thing that will fulfill your soul, that you just know is out there somewhere.
Politics of Darkness/People Have The Power
Released in 2024
- Single
- Politics of Darkness
- People Have The Power
More Music
Impatient Camera – Single
Released in 2024
Highway Song – Single
Released in 2024
Young Man Without A Purpose Blues – Single
Released in 2024
The Signal – Single
Released in 2024
Nothing Day – Single
Released in 2024
Your Daily Dose
Released in 2023
- EP
- Daily Dose of Pain
- Documentary
- Stairway
Accolades
Press
Radio Play
- Makin Waves Song of The Week: “Once I Wake Up” by Sam Tunkel
- Makin Waves Song of the Week: “Do You? Will You?” by Sam Tunkel
- BlowUpRadio.com’s New & Notable NJ Music 9/8/25
- Joe Butta on 90.3 FM “The Core”, 9/30/2024, on Sam Tunkel’s “Young Man Without A Purpose Blues”: “Sam Tunkel is a local artist and MGSA student making acoustic singer-songwriter tracks adjacent to artists like Elliott Smith and Bob Dylan. This most recent single by Sam is this perfect melancholic tune that washes over you with sweet guitar arrangements and soulful performance on the harmonica. At the show I first heard this song, he described it as a therapeutic reflection on young adulthood, taking place on a long drive in his car. The lyrics reflect this, and sucker punch you with a feeling of aimlessness and uncertainty. If nothing else, the guy plays a mean harmonica. Definitely give this track a spin and support a great local act!!! :D”
“Young Man Without A Purpose Blues”: “Sam Tunkel is a local artist and MGSA student making acoustic singer-songwriter tracks adjacent to artists like Elliott Smith and Bob Dylan. This most recent single by Sam is this perfect melancholic tune that washes over you with sweet guitar arrangements and soulful performance on the harmonica. At the show I first heard this song, he described it as a therapeutic reflection on young adulthood, taking place on a long drive in his car. The lyrics reflect this, and sucker punch you with a feeling of aimlessness and uncertainty. If nothing else, the guy plays a mean harmonica. Definitely give this track a spin and support a great local act!!! :D”
Joe Butta on 90.3 FM “The Core”, 9/30/2024
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